The SkyPark

Perched on the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands, the Sands SkyPark is a sight to behold. Majestic. That's probably the best way to describe it. It would cost SGD20 to get onto the Park, but it is free for those staying at the hotel. We certainly used the facility. Once to relax, the second to actually sample the pool. My boys actually enjoyed the dip on both occasion. They had a separate wading pool for children, and a main pool extending across the three tower.

The main pool was not that deep, but extend towards the end, elevated against the floor to give an illusion that one reaches the edge, hence the name Infiniti Pool. It was an experience with the Singapore skyscraper appearing over the edge. Sipping an ice tea by the pool really made the stay in Singapore worthwhile for that alone.

Looking towards the east of the island from the topTaking the lifts upYours truly having a dip as wellThe healthy option. Some iced tea.As with anywhere in Singapore, things were well organized and clean. The SkyPark was no exception. Apart from the pool, there is a few jacuzzi and sauna units. There were also a couple of bars, a nightclub as well as restaurants and a chocolate bar. However, some of the restaurant we only for those at the executive floors.

No diving. The water was not that deep in the main pool.Idlan looking at the sunsetThe view fromm the side of the infiniti pool. No, it was not dangerous!Singapore sunset ....For visitors, there is also a separate observation deck to enjoy a panoramic view of the island.

On the last evening we were there, we stayed in the pool until after sunset, enjoying the sun rays creeping between a couple of towers on the horizon. Bliss.

The Universal Studios

Everyone has been asking me, was the trip to Universal Studios worth it? Of course! Most definitely. I initially had problem convincing my children to go. After all, there was a huge billboard along the MRR2 near my house in Gombak which said, "Sunway Lagoon, Asia's Best Attraction." And they swore by that!

Now, they kept telling me that Universal Studios couldn't be as good. After the trip, they changed their mind.

But, if you don't believe the boy's endorsement, you should go there yourself. It was electric. From the moment you enter the park, the excitement was palpable.

By the main entraceGift shops everywhereTime for a breatherMore photos ......We went there on a Monday. The crowd was apparently lighter, but still a bit more than a typical Monday since it was a public holiday in Malaysia. I could tell that the majority of the visitors - as well as the staffs - were from Malaysia. We got purr tickets beforehand via the internet, so all we had to do was start straight at the entrance queue. We reached there shortly after 10.30 am, and there was already a crowd. Despite that, everything was orderly. The next step was to pick up the park map. They were everywhere and easy to get hold off.

The park was basically devised into 7 areas, all with a unique theme. In the end we spent more time at the Lost World - a Jurassic Park-based attraction - and Far Far Away where Shrek lived. The main dining area was by Hollywood area. 

Rather than dwell on in one long entry, I might as well write on the individual area separately. So, watch this space …..

Titanic!

Within the Marina Bay Sands Complex, there were a casino, a huge shopping mall, theaters, cinemas, an MRT station, as well as a museum. The museum caught my eyes as it was exhibiting artificers recovered from the Titanic. I just couldn't resist it.

As my boys were settled after the trip into town for shopping, I had a couple of hours to sneak out. I forked out the SGD24 for the ticket. And it was money well spent.

The exhibition showcased the big liner from the inception, right through the building, the famous tragedy as well as the aftermath. It introduced those who perished in the sinking, as well as the glory days of Trans-Atlantic traveling. Truly fascinating. And through to the Singaporean efficiency, it was very well presented and I have to admit, the artifacts from the bottom of the sea were the bonus. The exhibition would still be interesting without them.

The venue was also rather understated. It did not looks as big from the outside, but it was actually very roomy. I spent about an hour going around. At the entrance, I was given a boarding pass of a real passenger on the liner, and at the end, I got to learn their fate. My card was on a third-class passenger looking for a job in The States. He perished unfortunately.

At the same time, there was another exhibit on a different floor about time-pieces presented by Cartier. Not interested!

The Damage Was Done

Right after breakfast, we took the MRT into town. After a change at Marina Bay, we were off to Orchard Road. We stopped a station short at Somerset and ventured out. The weather was warm. Rather too warm for taking the street. We stopped at almost all the malls along the way just to enjoy the air conditioning.

At Paragon, we did some shopping, ending up at the Toys'r'Us. Almost every toy Irfan picked up, he said, "but we don't have this in KL". Two carrier bags full of toys later, and he was still at it.

Lunch came next. Getting Halal food in the middle of Orchard proved rather tricky. In the end, we stopped at McDonald's. Now it was time for Mummy to do the shopping .......

One of the shop selling Moll furnitures caught my eyes. they were actually cheaper than Malaysia, and the choices were more varied. Unfortunately, they do not cover shipment abroad. Tricky one that .......

Sunday Afternoon

A spare couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon. The children were doing their homework as tomorrow would be a school day after a week away for the Chinese New Year break. There won't be much school in the next couple of weeks however.

Next Wednesday would be a day off for Hari Wilayah. Then there would be another long weekend, with Thaipusam and Maulud Rasul. The boys would be absent the an extra day as well since we would be traveling to Singapore for the long weekend. Our first real holiday traveling abroad, and the first time their passports would be stamped!

Puan Anita as usual had been sorting out the packing all weekend. As for me, I am trying to sort out a quick way to blog on the fly and I was really impressed with the new version of Posterous. I had been using them since 2008, and it had been kinda lame for a while. The new revamp at the end of 2011 really did wonder for the product, and better still, they were still free of charge and now the API is much more durable.

I will write more about Posterous after the field trip …..